Semiconductor device with self-aligned contact

ABSTRACT

Self-aligned contacts are provided. In an embodiment the self-aligned contacts are formed by partially removing a first dielectric material from adjacent to a gate electrode and fully removing a second dielectric material from adjacent to the gate electrode. A conductive material is deposited into the regions of the removed first dielectric material and the second dielectric material, and the conductive material and metal gates are recessed below a spacer. A dielectric layer is deposited over the recessed conductive material and the recessed metal gates, and the self-aligned contacts are formed through the dielectric layer.

BACKGROUND

As consumer devices have gotten smaller and smaller in response to consumer demand, the individual components of these devices and their connecting pathways that form the consumer devices have decreased in size as well. Semiconductor devices, which make up a major component of devices such as mobile phones, computer tablets, and the like, have been pressured to become smaller and smaller, with a corresponding pressure on the individual devices (e.g., transistors, resistors, capacitors, etc.) and their connecting pathways (e.g., interconnecting lines) within the semiconductor devices to also be reduced in size.

One potential problem of this drive to reduce the size of the individual devices is a bottleneck that has formed regarding the interconnections that electrically connect the individual active devices within the semiconductor device. In particular, as the individual interconnects continue to be reduced along with the individual transistors, resistors, etc., previously containable issues with process alignments have arisen.

Accordingly, new processes and procedures are needed to help overcome these problems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying figures. It is noted that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of discussion.

FIG. 1 illustrates a substrate with metal gates and an overlying interlayer dielectric in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates a patterning of a mask for the interlayer dielectric in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates a self-aligned contact etch in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4 illustrates a second self-aligned contact etch in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates formation of a conductive material in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 6 illustrates a planarization process to form plugs in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 7 illustrates a recessing of the gate metal and plugs in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 8 illustrates forming of a dielectric layer in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 9 illustrates a formation of openings in the dielectric layer in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 10 illustrates formation of contacts in the openings in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 11 illustrates a top-down view of a layout in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following disclosure provides many different embodiments, or examples, for implementing different features of the provided subject matter. Specific examples of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. For example, the formation of a first feature over or on a second feature in the description that follows may include embodiments in which the first and second features are formed in direct contact, and may also include embodiments in which additional features may be formed between the first and second features, such that the first and second features may not be in direct contact. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various examples. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/or configurations discussed.

Within reference now to the Figures, a self-aligned contact process that is useful for 10 nm nodes interconnects and lower. However, the embodiments may also be used in other interconnection processes.

With reference now to FIG. 1, there is shown a portion of a semiconductor device 100 with a semiconductor substrate 101, an active area 102 and a first isolation region 103 within the semiconductor substrate 101, gate electrodes 105, spacers 107, and a first interlayer dielectric (ILD) 109. The semiconductor substrate 101 may comprise bulk silicon, doped or undoped, or an active layer of a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate. Generally, an SOI substrate comprises a layer of a semiconductor material such as silicon, germanium, silicon germanium, SOI, silicon germanium on insulator (SGOI), or combinations thereof. Other substrates that may be used include multi-layered substrates, gradient substrates, or hybrid orientation substrates.

The active area 102 may be a region of the semiconductor substrate 101 that has been activated through, e.g., implantation of dopants in order to conduct electricity in a particular fashion. The active area 102 may be doped with p-type dopants (such as boron, aluminum, gallium, or indium) and n-type dopants (such as phosphorous, arsenic, or antimony), in order to form one or more types of semiconductor devices, such as a transistor with the gate electrodes 105 as illustrated in FIG. 1. However, other devices such as single-finger transistors, resistors, or the like or more complicated semiconductor structures such as SRAM cells, NOR gates, OR gates, drivers, combinations of these, or the like may also be formed with the active area 102. The active area 102 may be formed through one or more series of implantations in which the p-type and n-type dopants are implanted while regions in which doping is undesired may be protected through, e.g., masking layers.

The first isolation region 103 may be formed within the semiconductor substrate 101. In an embodiment the first isolation region 103 is a shallow trench isolation (STI), and may be formed by etching the semiconductor substrate 101 to form a trench and filling the trench with a dielectric material as is known in the art. For example, the first isolation region 103 may be filled with a dielectric material such as an oxide material, a high-density plasma (HDP) oxide, or the like, formed by methods known in the art.

Over the semiconductor substrate 101, dummy gate electrodes (not illustrated in FIG. 1 because they are removed for the formation of the gate electrodes 105), and the spacers 107 may be formed. The dummy gate electrodes may comprise a material, such as a doped or undoped poly-crystalline silicon (or amorphous silicon), a metal (e.g., tantalum, titanium, molybdenum, tungsten, platinum, aluminum, hafnium, ruthenium), a metal silicide (e.g., titanium silicide, cobalt silicide, nickel silicide, tantalum silicide), a metal nitride (e.g., titanium nitride, tantalum nitride), other conductive materials, combinations thereof, or the like. In an embodiment in which the dummy gate electrodes are poly-silicon, the dummy gate electrodes may be formed by depositing doped or undoped poly-silicon by low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) to a thickness in the range of about 400 Å to about 2,400 Å, such as about 1,400 Å.

Once the dummy gate electrodes have been formed, the dummy gate electrodes may be patterned. In an embodiment, the dummy gate electrodes may be patterned using, e.g., a photolithographic masking and etching process, whereby a photolithographic mask (also not shown in FIG. 1) is formed over the dummy gate electrodes and then exposed to a patterned light. After exposure, desired portions of the photolithographic mask are removed to expose the underlying dummy gate electrodes, which may then be etched to remove the exposed portions, thereby patterning the dummy gate electrodes.

The spacers 107 may be formed by blanket depositing one or more spacer layers (not shown) over the dummy gate electrodes and the semiconductor substrate 101. The spacer layers may comprise SiN, oxynitride, SiC, SiON, oxide, and the like and may be formed by commonly used methods such as chemical vapor deposition (CVD), plasma enhanced CVD, sputter, and other methods known in the art. The spacer layers may be patterned, such as by isotropically or anisotropically etching, thereby removing the spacer layers from the horizontal surfaces of the structure and forming the spacers 107 as illustrated in FIG. 1. In an embodiment the spacers 107 may be formed to have a first width W₁ of between about 30 Å and about 200 Å, such as about 90 Å.

However, as one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize, the process described above and the resulting shape of the spacers 107 as illustrated in FIG. 1 are intended to be merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the embodiments to these descriptions. Rather, any suitable number and combination of spacers, layers, and shapes may be utilized in order to form the spacers 107, and any suitable combination of spacers may alternatively be utilized.

The first ILD 109 may be formed over the semiconductor substrate 101 and between the dummy gate electrodes and the spacers 107. In an embodiment the first ILD 109 may be formed by ALD, PVD, CVD, or other acceptable methods for forming an ILD. The first ILD 109 may comprise doped or undoped silicon oxide, although other materials such as silicon nitride doped silicate glass, high-k materials, combinations of these, or the like, may alternatively be utilized. After formation of the first ILD 109, the first ILD 109, the dummy gate electrodes, and the spacers 107 may be planarized using suitable techniques such as a chemical mechanical polish (CMP) process. In an embodiment the first ILD 109 may have a second width W₂ of between about 100 Å and about 400 Å, such as about 200 Å.

Once the first ILD 109, the dummy gate electrodes, and the spacers 107 have been planarized, the dummy gate electrodes may be removed. In an embodiment the dummy gate electrodes are removed using a removal process suitable for the material that was chosen to form the dummy gate electrodes. As such, while the precise method of removal will be at least in part dependent upon the material chosen, in an embodiment in which the dummy gate electrodes are polysilicon, the dummy gate electrodes may be removed using a process such as plasma etching with an etchant such as HBr/Cl₂, F₂, or a wet etching such as NH₄OH, combinations of these, or the like.

Once the dummy gate electrodes have been removed, the gate electrodes 105 may be formed where the dummy gate electrodes had been previously located. In an embodiment the gate electrodes 105 are formed of a material that is suitable for the device for which they will be utilized. In an embodiment in which the gate electrodes 105 will be used for an NMOS device (along with associated source/drain regions within the semiconductor substrate 101), the gate electrodes 105 may comprises a gate electrode material suitable for an NMOS device, such as aluminum, titanium, titanium aluminum, or tantalum may be utilized. However, any other suitable conductive material, such as aluminum silicon copper or aluminum copper, may alternatively be utilized. In an embodiment the gate electrodes 105 may be formed using, e.g., a deposition process. The deposition process will continue until the openings left by the removal of the dummy gate electrodes have been filled and/or overfilled.

Once filled, a planarization process is performed in order to remove excess gate electrode material that is located outside of the openings left by the dummy gate electrodes. In an embodiment the planarization process may be a CMP process, in which chemicals and abrasives are utilized to react and grind the gate electrode material to remove and planarize the gate electrode material with the spacers 107 and the first ILD 109 to form the gate electrodes 105. However, any suitable planarization process may alternatively be utilized. In an embodiment the gate electrodes 105 may be formed to have a third width W₃ of between about 150 Å and about 2000 Å, such as about 300 Å and a first pitch P₁ of between about 400 Å and about 5000 Å, such as about 700 Å.

FIG. 1 additionally illustrates a formation of a second ILD 111, a first hard mask layer 113, and a first dielectric layer 115. In an embodiment the second ILD 111 comprises a dielectric material such as silicon oxide formed using a process such as chemical vapor deposition to a thickness of about 600 Å. However, any other suitable materials (such as silicon nitride doped silicate glass, high-k materials, combinations of these, or the like), any other suitable process (such as plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition, atomic layer deposition, or the like), and any other suitable thickness, may alternatively be utilized.

The first hard mask layer 113 is formed over the second ILD 111 and will be used to pattern the second ILD 111 in a subsequent process. In an embodiment the first hard mask layer 113 is a material such as titanium nitride, although any other suitable materials, such as tungsten, tantalum nitride, aluminum nitride, titanium oxide, combinations of these, or the like may alternatively be utilized. The first hard mask layer 113 may be formed using a process such as chemical vapor deposition to a thickness of about 380 Å, although any suitable method, such as atomic layer deposition or physical vapor deposition, and thickness may alternatively be used.

The first dielectric layer 115 may be formed over the first hard mask layer 113. In an embodiment the first dielectric layer 115 comprises a material such as silicon oxide, although any suitable dielectric material, such as silicon nitride or silicon oxynitride, may alternatively be utilized. The first dielectric layer 115 may be formed using chemical vapor deposition to a thickness of about 400 Å, although any other suitable method, such as atomic layer deposition or physical vapor deposition and thickness may alternatively be utilized.

FIG. 2 illustrates a patterning of the first dielectric layer 115 and the first hard mask layer 113 using, e.g., a first photoresist 201. In an embodiment the first photoresist 201 comprises a conventional photoresist material, such as a deep ultra-violet (DUV) photoresist, and may be deposited on the surface of the first dielectric layer 115, for example, by using a spin-on process to place the first photoresist 201. However, any other suitable material or method of forming or placing the first photoresist 201 may alternatively be utilized.

After the first photoresist 201 has been placed on the first dielectric layer 115, the first photoresist 201 may be exposed to energy, e.g. light, through a patterned reticle in order to induce a reaction in those portions of the first photoresist 201 exposed to the energy. The first photoresist 201 may then be developed, and portions of the first photoresist 201 may be removed, exposing a surface of the first dielectric layer 115 over the semiconductor substrate 101.

Once the first photoresist 201 has been patterned, the first photoresist 201 is utilized as a mask in order to pattern the underlying first dielectric layer 115. In an embodiment a dry etch such as a reactive ion etch in which etching chemicals that selectively remove the material of the first dielectric layer 115 than the first photoresist 201 are used to remove exposed portions of the first dielectric layer 115. For example, in an embodiment in which the first dielectric layer 115 is silicon oxide, the first dielectric layer 115 may be patterned using an etchant such as CF₄. However, any suitable removal process may alternatively be utilized.

After the first dielectric layer 115 has been patterned, the first dielectric layer 115 may be used as a mask in order to pattern the first hard mask layer 113. In an embodiment a dry etch such as a reactive ion etch may be used, in which etchants that are selective to the material of the hard mask layer (e.g., titanium nitride) are utilized to selectively remove the exposed portions of the first hard mask layer 113 that are uncovered by the patterned first dielectric layer 115. For example, in an embodiment in which the first hard mask layer 113 is titanium nitride, the first hard mask layer 113 may be patterned using an etchant such as Cl₂. However, any suitable removal process may alternatively be utilized.

FIG. 3 illustrates a patterning of the second ILD 111 along with a removal of selected portions of the first ILD 109. In an embodiment the second ILD 111 may be patterned using the patterned first hard mask layer 113 as a mask. In a particular embodiment, a dry etch such as a reactive ion etch is utilized to selectively remove those portions of the second ILD 111 that are uncovered by the patterned first hard mask layer 113. Etchants that are selective to the material of the second ILD 111 may be utilized so that the etching process terminates when the spacers 107 and the gate electrodes 105 are reached, such that the spacers 107 and the gate electrodes 105 are not substantially removed during the process. For example, in an embodiment in which the second ILD 111 is silicon oxide, the second ILD 111 may be patterned using an etchant such as CF₄. However, any suitable removal process may alternatively be utilized.

Additionally, in an embodiment in which the first ILD 109 is the same material as the second ILD 111 (e.g., silicon oxide), the etch process may be continued to remove those portions of the first ILD 109 that are not covered by the first hard mask layer 113 (e.g., those portions that are located over the active area 102 of the semiconductor substrate 101), while those portions of the first ILD 109 that remain covered (e.g., those portions located over the first isolation region 103), are not removed. Alternatively, in an embodiment in which the material of the first ILD 109 is different from the second ILD 111, a second etch process may be performed with different etchants than the etch process utilized to pattern the second ILD 111. In such a process etchants that are selective to the material of the first ILD 109 are utilized.

After the removal of the first ILD 109, a wet cleaning process may optionally be used in order to remove any residual material left over after the etching process. In an embodiment the wet cleaning process may be, e.g., an SC-1 or SC-2 cleaning procedure. However, any suitable cleaning process, such as a deionized water rinse or other rinse with a suitable cleaning solution or solvent, may alternatively be used.

FIG. 4 illustrates a removal of the first photoresist 201, the first dielectric layer 115, and the first hard mask layer 113, and a second patterning of the second ILD 111. In an embodiment the first photoresist 201 may be removed using an ashing process, whereby the temperature of the first photoresist 201 is increased until it chemically degrades and may be removed. However, any other suitable removal process, such as etching or dissolving the first photoresist 201, may alternatively be utilized.

The first dielectric layer 115 and the first hard mask layer 113 may be removed using one or more etching process, such as one or more wet etching processes. In such a process etchants that are selective to the first dielectric layer 115 and the first hard mask layer 113 are applied in order to remove the first dielectric layer 115 and the first hard mask layer 113.

Once the first photoresist 201, the first dielectric layer 115, and the first hard mask layer 113 have been removed, a second photoresist 401 may be placed over the patterned second ILD 111. Once the second photoresist 401 has been placed on the second ILD 111, the second photoresist 401 may be exposed to energy, e.g. light, through a patterned reticle in order to induce a reaction in those portions of the second photoresist 401 exposed to the energy. The second photoresist 401 may then be developed, and portions of the second photoresist 401 may be removed, exposing a surface of the second ILD 111. In an embodiment the portion of the second ILD 111 that is exposed is a portion that is located over the first ILD 109 that is located over the first isolation region 103. As such, when the second ILD 111 is patterned with the pattern of the second photoresist 401, the portion of the first ILD 109 will be exposed for an etch process.

FIG. 4 also illustrates the patterning of the second ILD 111 using the second photoresist 401 as a mask. In an embodiment the second ILD 111 may be patterned this second time using a similar process as described above with respect to FIG. 3. For example, the second ILD 111 may be patterned using a dry etch with an etchant that is selective to the material of the second ILD 111.

Additionally, after the second ILD 111 has been patterned, the etching process may be continued to remove a first potion of the first ILD 109 located over the first isolation region 103. In an embodiment in which the first ILD 109 is the same material as the second ILD 111, the first ILD 109 may be etched in the same process and using the same etchants as the second ILD 111. Alternatively, in an embodiment in which the first ILD 109 is a different material than the second ILD 111, a separate etching process with etchants selective to the material of the first ILD 109 is utilized.

In an embodiment the etching of the first ILD 109 is stopped prior to a complete removal of the first ILD 109 over the first isolation region 103, leaving behind a residual portion of the first ILD 109 between the spacers 107 over the first isolation region 103. The stopping of the etching process may be performed by using a timed etching process, whereby the process is stopped after a pre-determined time has elapsed so that the process does not fully remove the first ILD 109 from over the first isolation region 103. The first ILD 109 may be etched until it has a first thickness T₁ over the first isolation region 103 of between about 100 Å and about 600 521 , such as about 200 Å.

By using this series of patterning processes and removal processes, the first ILD 109 between the spacers 107 is patterned twice. In the first etching process (illustrated in FIG. 3 above), an etching to expose a portion of the semiconductor substrate 101 for a first metal layer (e.g., a silicide region 501, not illustrated in FIG. 4 but illustrated and discussed below with respect to FIG. 5) may be performed. In the second etching process, a portion of the first ILD 109 is removed without exposing the underlying first isolation region 103 in order to make room for a second metal layer (e.g., plugs 601, also not illustrated in FIG. 4 but illustrated and discussed below with respect to FIG. 6). By utilizing such a series of etches, the subsequent formations of contacts may assist in the reduction of size by being substantially self-aligned with the remainder of the structures.

FIG. 5 illustrates a formation of the silicide regions 501 along with a formation of a conductive plug material 503 over the silicide regions 501. In an embodiment the silicide regions 501 are formed from exposed portions of the active area 102 between the spacers 107. In an embodiment the formation of the silicide regions 501 may be initiated by initially forming a metal layer (not separately illustrated in FIG. 5) in contact with the semiconductor substrate 101. The metal layer may comprise a silicide precursor metal such as nickel, and may be formed through a process such as CVD. Alternatively, the metal layer may comprise any other suitable material to form a silicide with the semiconductor substrate 101, such as titanium, cobalt, palladium, platinum, erbium, combinations of these, and the like, and the metal layer may also be formed through other suitable processes, such as PECVD, physical vapor deposition (PVD), atomic layer deposition (ALD), and the like.

Once the metal layer has been formed in contact with the semiconductor substrate 101, an anneal is performed in order to diffuse and react the metal layer with the semiconductor substrate 101 to form the silicide regions 501. In an embodiment, the anneal may be, e.g., a rapid thermal anneal (RTA), where the metal layer and the semiconductor substrate 101 may be brought to a temperature of between about 150° C. and about 350° C., such as about 255° C., for a time period of between about 30 seconds and about 200 seconds, such as about 60 seconds. However, the embodiments are not intended to be limited to an RTÅ, as any other suitable thermal treatment, such as a laser anneal, a dynamic surface anneal, combinations of these, or the like, may alternatively be utilized.

Once the silicide regions 501 have been formed, unreacted metal from the metal layer may be removed. In an embodiment the unreacted material from the metal layer may be removed using an etchant that selectively removes the unreacted metal layer without removing the silicide, such as a solution of sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide, a solution of hydrochloric acid and hydrogen peroxide, or the like. Additionally, any other suitable removal agent may alternatively be utilized to remove the metal layer from over the semiconductor substrate 101.

Once the silicide regions 501 have been formed, the conductive plug material 503 may be placed in physical contact with the silicide regions 501, filling and overfilling the space between the spacers 107. In an embodiment the formation of the conductive plug material 503 may be initiated by a formation of a first glue layer (not separately illustrated in FIG. 5). In an embodiment the first glue layer is utilized to help adhere the rest of the conductive plug material 503 to the underlying structure and may be, e.g., tungsten, titanium nitride, tantalum nitride, or the like formed using a process such as CVD, plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), physical vapor deposition (PVD), atomic layer deposition (ALD), and the like or the like.

Once the first glue layer has been formed, the conductive plug material 503 is formed in contact with the glue layer. In an embodiment the conductive plug material 503 is tungsten (W), although any other suitable material, such as aluminum, copper, combinations of these, or the like, may alternatively be utilized. The conductive plug may be formed using a process such as CVD, although any suitable process, such as PECVD, physical vapor deposition (PVD), atomic layer deposition (ALD), and the like, may alternatively be utilized.

FIG. 6 illustrates a planarization of the conductive plug material 503 (see FIG. 5) such that the conductive plug material 503 that is outside of the region between the spacers 107 is removed, forming plugs 601 (one of which is located over the remaining portion of the first ILD 109 and which may be used as a conductive line). In an embodiment the planarization process is a chemical mechanical polish (CMP), in which a combination of etching materials and abrading materials are put into contact with the conductive plug material 503 and a grinding pad (not separately illustrated) is used to grind away the conductive plug material 503 until all of the conductive plug material 503 over the spacers 107 and gate electrode 105 has been removed.

FIG. 7 illustrates a recessing of the plugs 601 and the gate electrodes 105 along with a formation of a second dielectric layer 701. In an embodiment the plugs 601 and the gate electrodes 105 may be recessed using, e.g., a wet etching process whereby a suitable etchant that is selective to the material of the plugs 601 (e.g., tungsten) and the gate electrodes 105, is applied to the plugs 601. In an embodiment the plugs 601 and the gate electrodes 105 are recessed a same amount, such as a first distance D₁ below the spacers 107 of between about 100 Å and about 500 Å, such as about 200 Å, using an etchant such as Cl₂

In an alternative embodiment in which the gate electrodes 105 are formed from a different material than the plugs 601 (or in which the etchants cannot suitable etch both materials at the same time), the gate electrodes 105 may be recessed in a separate process than the plugs 601. As such, the etching processes may be tuned to the precise materials used for both the gate electrodes 105 and the plugs 601. Any suitable method or combination of methods may alternatively be used to recess the plugs 601 and the gate electrodes 105.

After the plugs 601 and the gate electrodes 105 have been recessed, the second dielectric layer 701 may be conformally formed over the gate electrodes 105, the plugs 601, and the spacers 107. In an embodiment the second dielectric layer 701 may be a dielectric material such as silicon nitride, although any suitable dielectric material may alternatively be utilized. The second dielectric layer 701 may be formed using a process such as chemical vapor deposition to a thickness of between about 30 Å and about 100 Å, such as about 50 Å. However, any suitable process, such as PECVD, ALD, or the like, and any suitable thickness may alternatively be utilized.

FIG. 8 illustrates a third ILD 801 formed over the second dielectric layer 701. In an embodiment the third ILD 801 may be formed by chemical vapor deposition, sputtering, or any other methods known and used in the art for forming an ILD, using, e.g., tetra-ethyl-ortho-silicate (TEOS) and oxygen as a precursor. The third ILD 801 may be about 300 Å to about 1,000 Å in thickness, but other thicknesses may be used. The third ILD 801 may comprise doped or undoped silicon oxide, although other materials such as silicon nitride doped silicate glass, high-k materials, combinations of these, or the like, may alternatively be utilized.

FIG. 9 illustrates a formation of openings 901 through the third ILD 801. In an embodiment a third photoresist 903 is placed over the third ILD 801. Once the third photoresist 903 has been placed on the second ILD 111, the third photoresist 903 may be exposed to energy, e.g. light, through a patterned reticle in order to induce a reaction in those portions of the third photoresist 903 exposed to the energy. The third photoresist 903 may then be developed, and portions of the third photoresist 903 may be removed, exposing a surface of the third ILD 801.

Once the third photoresist 903 has been patterned, the openings 901 may be formed in the third ILD 801 using the third photoresist 903 as a mask in order to expose portions of the second dielectric layer 701. In an embodiment the openings 901 may be formed using a dry etch process such as a reactive ion etch with etchants selective to the material of the third ILD 801. The openings may be formed to have a fourth width W₄ at the top of the third ILD 801 of between about 200 Å and about 500 Å, such as about 250 Å.

The openings 901 are formed to expose a first region 905 and a second region 907 of the second dielectric layer 701. In an embodiment the first region 905 (showed for clarity in FIG. 9 with a dashed line even though it has already been removed by the point illustrated in FIG. 9), runs substantially parallel with a major surface of the semiconductor substrate 101, while the second region 907 runs substantially perpendicular to the major surface of the semiconductor substrate 101 and along an upper portion of a sidewall of the spacers 107.

Additionally, once the openings 901 have been formed through the third ILD 801, the etching process may be continued to extend the openings 901 through the second dielectric layer 701. As there is more material substantially perpendicular to the semiconductor substrate 101 in the second region 907 than the first region 905, the etching process to form the openings 901 will remove the first region 905 and expose the underlying plugs 601 before the second region 907 has been removed, allowing the openings 901 to be substantially self-aligned to the underlying plugs 601. In an embodiment in which the gate electrodes 105 and the plugs 601 have the same height, the openings 901 can land on both the gate electrodes 105 and the plugs 601 simultaneously with the same patterning process.

FIG. 10 illustrates a filling of the openings 901 with a conductive material and a planarization of the conductive material with the third ILD 801 to form via contacts 1001 and 1003. In an embodiment the conductive material may be formed by initially forming an optional second glue layer (not separately illustrated in FIG. 1), which may be similar to the first glue layer (discussed above with respect to FIG. 5). Once the second glue layer has been formed, the conductive material may be formed in contact with the second glue layer.

In an embodiment the conductive material may be a metal such as tungsten, although any other suitably conductive material, such as aluminum, copper, or the like, may alternatively be utilized. The conductive material may be formed using a deposition process such as CVD, although any other suitable deposition process (such as PECVD, ALD, or the like), may alternatively be utilized. The conductive material may be deposited to fill and overfill the openings 901.

FIG. 10 also illustrates a planarization process used to remove excess portions of the conductive material and form the contacts 1001 and 1003. The contacts 1001 are formed in the third ILD 801 and are electrically connected to the gate electrodes 105 between the spacers 107. The contacts 1003 are formed in the third ILD 801 and are electrically connected to the plugs 601 between the spacers 107. In an embodiment the planarization process is a chemical mechanical polish (CMP), in which a combination of etching materials and abrading materials are put into contact with the conductive material and a grinding pad (not separately illustrated) is used to grind away the conductive material until all of the conductive material over the third ILD 801 has been removed.

FIG. 11 illustrates a top down planar view of one embodiment utilizing multiple ones of the structures illustrated, e.g., in FIG. 10. For example, the lines A-A′ in FIG. 11 correspond to a top down view of structures similar to the line A-A′ in FIG. 10, while the lines B-B′ in FIG. 11 correspond to a top down view of structures similar to the line B-B′ in FIG. 10. In this embodiment the contacts 1001 and 1003 are, utilized to electrically connect the plugs 601 and the gate electrodes 105. However, any suitable layout may alternatively be utilized.

By utilizing the above process for a self-aligned contact etching methodology to form the plugs 601 and the contacts 1001 and 1003, the cross-connections that can occur between the plugs 601 and the gate electrodes 105 due to misalignment may be reduced or even eliminated. Additionally, by utilizing the recessed gate electrodes 105 and the recessed plugs 601 along with the second dielectric layer 701, there is no need to place additional materials and process steps between the steps to form the contacts 1001 and 1003 and the gate electrodes 105.

In accordance with an embodiment, a semiconductor device comprising a first conductor over a substrate, the first conductor having a first top surface, is provided. A spacer is adjacent to the first conductor, the spacer having a second top surface further from the substrate than the first top surface. A second conductor is in electrical connection with the substrate and located on an opposite side of the spacer than the first conductor, the second conductor having a third top surface, wherein the second top surface is further from the substrate than the third top surface. A first dielectric layer is adjacent to a sidewall of the spacer, over a portion of the first conductor, and over a portion of the second conductor. A contact extends through the first dielectric layer and in physical contact with the first conductor.

In accordance with another embodiment, a semiconductor device comprising a spacer extending away from a substrate, a first metal gate recessed from the spacer, and a conductive plug recessed from the spacer is provided. A first dielectric layer is over the spacer and at least partially over the first metal gate and the conductive plug, wherein the first dielectric layer is in contact with at least one sidewall of the spacer. A first contact extends through the first dielectric layer and in physical contact with the first metal gate. A second contact extends through the first dielectric layer and in physical contact with the conductive plug.

In accordance with yet another embodiment, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device comprising providing a metal gate with a first spacer on a first side of the metal gate and a second spacer on a second side of the metal gate, wherein a first portion of a dielectric material is located in a first region adjacent to the first spacer and a second portion of the dielectric material is located in a second region adjacent to the second spacer, is provided. The first portion of the dielectric material is fully removed from the first region, and the second portion of the dielectric material is partially removed from the second region, the partially removing the second portion leaving a third portion of the dielectric material. A conductive material is formed over the third portion of the dielectric material and within the first region. The conductive material and the metal gate are recessed from a top surface of the first spacer and the second spacer. A first dielectric layer is formed conformally over the conductive material, the first spacer, and the second spacer after the recessing the conductive material. A first contact is formed through the first dielectric layer and in contact with the conductive material. A second contact is formed through the first dielectric layer and in contact with the metal gate.

The foregoing outlines features of several embodiments so that those skilled in the art may better understand the aspects of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same purposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodiments introduced herein. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and that they may make various changes, substitutions, and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A semiconductor device comprising: a first conductor over a substrate, the first conductor having a first top surface; a spacer adjacent to the first conductor, the spacer having a second top surface further from the substrate than the first top surface; a second conductor in electrical connection with the substrate and located on an opposite side of the spacer than the first conductor, the second conductor having a third top surface, wherein the second top surface is further from the substrate than the third top surface; a first dielectric layer adjacent to a sidewall of the spacer, over a portion of the first conductor, and over a portion of the second conductor; and a contact extending through the first dielectric layer and in physical contact with the first conductor.
 2. The semiconductor device of claim 1, wherein the first conductor is a metal gate.
 3. The semiconductor device of claim 1, wherein the second conductor is a plug.
 4. The semiconductor device of claim 3, further comprising a silicide between the plug and the substrate.
 5. The semiconductor device of claim 3, further comprising a dielectric material between the plug and the substrate.
 6. The semiconductor device of claim 5, wherein the dielectric material is over an isolation region within the substrate.
 7. The semiconductor device of claim 1, further comprising a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer, wherein the contact extends through the second dielectric layer.
 8. A semiconductor device comprising: a spacer extending away from a substrate; a first metal gate recessed from the spacer; a conductive plug recessed from the spacer; a first dielectric layer over the spacer and at least partially over the first metal gate and the conductive plug, wherein the first dielectric layer is in contact with at least one sidewall of the spacer; a first contact extending through the first dielectric layer and in physical contact with the first metal gate; and a second contact extending through the first dielectric layer and in physical contact with the conductive plug.
 9. The semiconductor device of claim 8, further comprising a silicide region located between the conductive plug and the substrate.
 10. The semiconductor device of claim 8, wherein the conductive plug is located over an isolation region within the substrate.
 11. The semiconductor device of claim 10, further comprising a second dielectric layer between the conductive plug and the isolation region.
 12. The semiconductor device of claim 8, further comprising a second dielectric layer over the first dielectric layer, wherein the first contact extends through the second dielectric layer.
 13. The semiconductor device of claim 8, wherein the conductive plug comprises tungsten.
 14. The semiconductor device of claim 8, wherein the first contact has a sidewall with a first portion and a second portion offset from the first portion, wherein the first portion is located over the first dielectric layer and wherein the second portion is located adjacent to the first dielectric layer.
 15. A semiconductor device comprising: a first metal gate over a substrate; a first conductive plug over the substrate; a first spacer between the first metal gate and the first conductive plug; a second metal gate; a second conductive plug; a second spacer between the first metal gate and the second conductive plug; a third spacer, the third spacer between the second metal gate and the second conductive plug, wherein a top surface of the first and second spacers extend beyond a top surface of the first and second conductive plugs and a top surface of the first and second metal gates; a dielectric material over a portion of the first conductive plug, the first spacer, the first metal gate, the second spacer, the second conductive plug, the third spacer, and a portion of the second metal gate; a first contact connected to the second metal gate; and a second contact connected to the first conductive plug.
 16. The semiconductor device of claim 15 further comprising a silicide region between the first and second conductive plugs and the substrate.
 17. The semiconductor device of claim 15 further comprising an interlayer dielectric between the first contact and the second contact.
 18. The semiconductor device of claim 15, wherein a portion of the dielectric material is over an isolation region.
 19. The semiconductor device of claim 15, wherein the first and second contacts extend through the dielectric material.
 20. The semiconductor device of claim 15, wherein the first and second conductive plugs comprise tungsten. 